SDOT team members prepare snowplows for the practice run on November 6, 2023. Photo credit: SDOT Blog stats: 600 words | 3-minute read
Quick link: Jump down to additional winter weather resources on the web.
We’re prepared to respond to winter storms. Today, November 6 and tomorrow, November 7, we’re holding a snowplow training exercise to test equipment and ensure our snowplow drivers are familiar with their routes. This training exercise is one example of the work that occurs year-round to prepare for winter storms and ensure our crew members are in good practice.
We monitor weather conditions 24/7 and will pre-treat major arterial streets before it begins to snow to prevent ice from forming. If snow begins to fall, crews will typically work 24 hours per day to clear Seattle’s most critical streets for emergency services and buses. Crew members from Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks and Recreation are also trained to drive snow response vehicles and are ready to help.
We prioritize plowing over 1,200 miles of Seattle’s most critical routes to hospitals, schools, emergency services, and shelters. As hard as our crew members work, it may take up to 12 hours after a break in the storm to clear all these streets.
What does the practice run include?
During this practice run, SDOT snowplow drivers travel the specific routes they would clear during and after a real snow and ice storm, following a network of pre-identified arterial streets all across the city. This helps drivers be familiar with the latest street conditions. At the same time, other City of Seattle specialists ensure vehicles, equipment, and supplies are where they need to be at several maintenance facilities in Seattle. This exercise also includes key contributions from SDOT equipment operators, dispatch and traffic operations center staff, auxiliary support crew members, and senior management.
You can count on us to clear major streets, but crews can’t be everywhere at once. It is everyone’s responsibility to clear ice and snow from the sidewalks around their homes and businesses to keep communities safe. It’s not just the law; it’s the right thing to do so that people of all ages and abilities can travel safely following a snowstorm if it becomes necessary.
As City workers prepare for snow, we are asking the public to help get ready too:
- View a map to see Seattle’s snowplow routes. During snow events, use this online Winter Weather Response Map to see real-time updates about street conditions and which streets we have recently plowed.
- Visit the SDOT Winter Weather webpage for more information about how to get around safely when it snows. Visit MetroWinter.com for King County Metro transit updates.
- In order to prepare and assist in your neighborhood, talk to your neighbors to see who may need help during a storm. Make a community plan to ensure that all the sidewalks on the block get shoveled. Make sure you have a shovel and salt ready or know who to ask if you need a helping hand.
- If you’re interested in learning about our Neighbors Helping Neighbors snow shoveling pilot program, please read more online, or contact us at 684-ROAD@seattle.gov or 206-684-7623.
For more information and printable copies of our Winter Weather flyer, visit www.seattle.gov/transportation/winter-weather.
